Apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for the control of brakes in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted on bicycles and including a pump able to push fluid into a hydraulic circuit connected to the brake, characterized in that the pump is held inside the handlebar or a part associated therewith.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,886 filed Jan. 26, 2004, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an apparatus for the control ofbrakes, in bicycles and the like, to be used, in particular, for discbrakes mounted on bicycles

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that the action exerted upon the brake's lever istransmitted to a calliper acting on the disc through a hydraulicconnection associated with a pump to urge the same calliper acting onthe disc.

A drawback of the brake-controlling devices is due the fact that thebrake pump, with relevant accessories, is applied to the handlebar,thereby constituting a separate element. This characteristic may resultunsuitable owing to the fact that the handlebar has larger dimensions,the brake pump can be damaged by possible strokes, and may hurt the userin case of falls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks.

This result has been achieved, according to the invention, by adoptingthe idea of making an apparatus for the control of brakes in bicyclesand the like, to be used, in particular, for disc brakes mounted onbicycles and comprising a pump able to push fluid into a hydrauliccircuit connected to the brake. The pump being held inside the handlebaror a part associated therewith.

In particular the bicycle has a bicycle frame with a steering sleeve. Asteering stem rotatably is mounted in said steering sleeve, and ahandlebar is connected to the steering stem. A brake is mounted on thebicycle frame and applies friction to a wheel of the bicycle. The brakeis connected to one end of and hydraulic circuit. A pump is arrangedinside the handlebar and connected to another end of the hydrauliccircuit for forcing fluid through the hydraulic circuit, into the brake,and applying friction to the wheel. A brake lever device mounted on saidhandlebar operates the pump.

Further characteristics are set forth in the dependent claims.

The advantages of the present invention are that the apparatus hasextremely limited overall dimensions and, therefore, gives the handlebara greater compactness; that the presence of a hydraulic brake makes itpossible to use the levers originally present on the bicycle, that is,those for brakes operated only by a cable; that there are no protrudingparts likely to be damaged or providing a danger for the cyclist; that amore attractive appearance is conferred to the handlebar; that thebraking maintains optimal performance; that the apparatus keeps itscharacteristics unchanged also after a prolonged use.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses,reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter inwhich the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a side view, with parts taken away, of a possible exemplaryembodiment of an apparatus for braking control according to the presentinvention;

FIGS. 1A and 1B are respectively, a top view with parts in section (FIG.1A) and a side view (FIG. 1B), with parts in section, of the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view, with parts taken away, of a further possibleexemplary embodiment of an apparatus for braking control according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side view, with parts taken away, of a further possibleexemplary embodiment of an apparatus for braking control according tothe present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings in particular, the basic characteristic of anapparatus for the control of brakes according to the invention, is thatthe apparatus is held within a portion of the handlebar, or a partassociated therewith such as, for example, a connecting lug or othersimilar elements.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 for the control ofbrakes according to the present invention, is fitted within the lug 3which defines the connection between the handlebar 2 and the sleeve andstem (not shown).

In particular, the lug 3 has first clamping means 30, 31 which allowfixing the apparatus 1 to the body of the handlebar 2, and secondclamping means 32, 33 to be fixed to the steering stem 99 to be insertedinto the sleeve. The clamping means consists of clamps 30 and 32 made upof two bodies joined by respective screws 31 and 33 in a manner knownper se.

Provided inside the body of the lug 3 is a reservoir 8 for the oil ofthe hydraulic circuit operating the brake. In particular, the reservoir8 is covered by a membrane 80 which is, in turn, covered by a lid 82fixed by a relevant frame 81 to the body of the lug 3. The reservoir 8,via a conduit 88, is connected to the a chamber wherein there is apiston 6 for which a stop element 76 is provided. The sealing of thepiston 6 is also ensured by O-ring gaskets having, respectively,oil-sealing 71, oil-stuffing 72, and counteracting 73 functions, thelatter gasket being in contact with a spring 66.

The operation of the; apparatus 1 is accomplished by actuating a lever44 (shown schematically only) provided on the handlebar and connected tothe apparatus by a sheath 4 which houses the relevant cable 5. One endof the cable 5 is attached to the lever 44, while the other end is fixedto the apparatus 1 in correspondence of two screw elements 50 beingaccessible via the passage 55, as more clearly shown in FIG. 1B.

As the cable is fixed in correspondence of the apparatus 1, theactuation of the lever 44 causes the displacement of the sheath 4 in thedirection of arrow F; in this way, the bush 40, formed in the end of thesheath on the side of the apparatus 1, goes into abutment against thepiston 6 causing the latter to be displaced in the same direction inorder to push the oil through the outlet 9 connected to the hydraulictube which leads to the brake's calliper. The presence of the spring 66,which is loaded by the action of the piston 6, allows the latter toreturn to the original position, that is, in the stand-by condition inwhich the brake's calliper is inoperative.

Shown more clearly in FIG. 1A are two piston pumps 6 disposed on thehandlebar on the right and left side thereof, and actable by two leversin a traditional manner, for operating the two brakes, respectively.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus 1 is applied to ahandlebar 2 of a type provided with a coupling 20 for the sleeve, and isinserted within the body of the handlebar 2, in particular within theportion 21 which connects the coupling for the sleeve 20. In thisexample, the apparatus 1 of the invention has been shown only for one ofthe two brakes, being understood that the invention is applicable, alsoin this case, to both the brakes. The parts have been indicated byreference numerals corresponding to those of similar parts in thepreceding figures.

In FIG. 2, also the sheath 4 associated with the relevant lever 44 isshown only partially and it is not joined with the lever; besides, thecable 5 protrudes from the body of the handlebar to allow fixing thesame cable more easily. Obviously, an open seat can be provided, thatis, a seat accessible from the outside, in order to ensure the cablewith screws, for example, so that the same cable will not project fromthe handlebar.

Again in this embodiment, the actuation of the lever 44 causes thedisplacement F of the sheath 4 and the consequent movement of the piston6 connected with the bush 40 of the sheath 4, a snap ring 74 for thepiston 6 being provided in correspondence of said bush. The piston 6,likewise in the previous example, pushes the oil of the braking circuit,via a conduit not shown, towards the brake's calliper. The spring 66brings the apparatus back to the initial position when stopping theaction exerted on the lever 44.

In the example of FIG. 3, the apparatus 1 is integral with a handlebarof a type for sprint races, that is, with curved arms. Thecharacteristic of this solution is that the piston 6 is connected to thelevers 44 for actuating the brakes without using cables; a connectingrod 64 being provided for this purpose rearwardly of the piston andcoaxial thereto. The rod 64 is pivoted to an appendix 46 of the lever 44for operating the brake. The actuation of the lever 44, in the directionR in FIG. 3, causes the displacement F of the connecting rod 64 and ofpiston 6 driven by the same rod. As for the rest, the operation isanalogous to the preceding cases.

Also in this example, the oil reservoir (which will likewise beintegrated in the handlebar) and the connecting conduit with thecalliper have not been shown; besides, the drawing relates to one of thetwo brakes only, but is applicable to both.

Practically, all the construction details may vary in any equivalent wayas far as the shape, dimensions, elements disposition, nature of theused materials are concerned, without nevertheless departing from thescope of the adopted solution idea and, thereby, remaining within thelimits of the protection granted to the present patent.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the application of the principles ofthe invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodiedotherwise without departing from such principles.

1. A brake arrangement for a bicycle, the arrangement comprising: abicycle frame including a steering sleeve; a brake mounted on saidbicycle frame and applying friction to a wheel of the bicycle; anhydraulic circuit having one end connected to said brake; a steeringstem rotatably mounted in said steering sleeve; a handlebar connected tosaid steering stem; a pump arranged inside said handlebar and connectedto another end of said hydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through saidhydraulic circuit, into said brake, and applying friction to the wheel;a brake lever device mounted on said handlebar and spaced from saidpump, said brake lever device being operatively connected to said pump;a cable connecting said brake lever device to said pump, said cabletransferring motion of said brake lever device to said pump to force thefluid through said hydraulic circuit.
 2. An arrangement in accordancewith claim 1, wherein an integral portion of said handlebar defines aconnection of said handle bar to said steering stem.
 3. An arrangementin accordance with claim 1, wherein: said pump includes a piston; asheath surrounds said cable, said cable is fixed to a body of saidhandlebar or to an integral portion associated with said handlebar, andsaid piston is pushed by said sheath.
 4. A brake arrangement for abicycle, the arrangement comprising: a bicycle frame including asteering sleeve; a brake mounted on said bicycle frame and applyingfriction to a wheel of the bicycle; an hydraulic circuit having one endconnected to said brake; a steering stem rotatably mounted in saidsteering sleeve; a handlebar connected to said steering stem, saidhandlebar being of a sprint race-type with two curved arms; a pumparranged inside said handlebar and connected to another end of saidhydraulic circuit for forcing fluid through said hydraulic circuit, intosaid brake, and applying friction to t wheel; a brake lever devicemounted on an outside of said handlebar, said brake lever device beingoperatively connected to said pump.
 5. An arrangement in accordance withclaim 4, wherein: said pump is arranged inside a curved section of saidhandlebar; said brake lever is mounted on an outside of said curvedsection of said handlebar.
 6. An arrangement in accordance with claim 5,wherein: said curved section of said handlebar curves substantially180°.
 7. An arrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein: saidhandlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with asubstantially circular outside surface.
 8. An arrangement in accordancewith claim 4, wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with twocurved arms, and wherein said pump is inside one of said two arms ofsaid handlebar.
 9. An arrangement in accordance with claim 6, wherein:said handlebar has a substantially circular cross-section with asubstantially circular outside surface.
 10. An arrangement in accordancewith claim 9, wherein said handlebar is of sprint race-type with twosaid curved sections each forming arms, and wherein said pump is insideone of said two arms of said handlebar.
 11. An arrangement in accordancewith claim 4, wherein said pump comprises a piston connected to saidbrake lever through an appendix of said brake lever.
 12. An arrangementin accordance with claim 4, wherein said pump comprises a pistonconnected to said brake lever through a connecting rod.
 13. Anarrangement in accordance with claim 4, wherein: said handlebar is asingle monolithic unit.